Issue - meetings

Further to minute 640 of 9 September 2014, to approve the next phase of the New Ways of Working Project, including the relocation of the Citizens Advice Bureau and Relate, and make financial provision for building works to enable this.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the next phase of the New Ways of Working Project be approved, including the relocation of the Citizens Advice Bureau and Relate as set out in section 5 of the report.

(2)  That a budget of £61,000 of capital funding be approved for the required building works and alterations to the East Pallant House (EPH) and Market Road council offices

Further to minute 640 of 9 September 2014, the Cabinet considered the report circulated with the agenda (copy attached to the official minutes, except for confidential appendix of financial information).

Mr Finch introduced the report, reminding the Cabinet of the New Ways of Working (NWOW) project, which made better use of the council’s buildings with an accompanying cultural change. The report proposed a further phase, involvingthe relocation of the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and Relate from their current premises in Theatre Lane to East Pallant House and Market Road respectively, enabled by some re-allocation of space within East Pallant House. This would enable the future use of the Theatre Lane premises to be reviewed on a commercial basis that would bring an income to the Council.

Mrs Taylor welcomed the proposal which, having worked at the CAB, she felt would improve the working environment for CAB staff and volunteers.

Mr Mildred (Corporate Improvement Manager) described the proposals in more detail.

Mr Barrow suggested that it was important that the CAB retained a clear separate identity within the Council Offices, so that clients did not feel that it was an agent of the Council. Mr Mildred confirmed that the CAB would have a separate reception and waiting area and meeting room, and distinctive signage. They had not asked for their reception and waiting area to be partitioned off. He was confident that they would retain a separate identity and they were very positive about the proposed relocation. Mrs Taylor added that she had worked in a number of CABs that were attached to council offices and there was no conflict of interest.

Mr Mildred confirmed that both CAB and Relate were very positive about the proposals and had agreed heads of terms.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the next phase of the New Ways of Working Project be approved, including the relocation of the Citizens Advice Bureau and Relate as set out in section 5 of the report.

(2)  That a budget of £61,000 of capital funding be approved for the required building works and alterations to the East Pallant House (EPH) and Market Road council offices